Little Big Town has never been afraid to shake things up a bit – their 2014 award-winning single, ‘Girl Crush,’ broke barriers and sparked controversy on country radio. The GRAMMY award winning group decided to make waves again when they released their seventh studio album, ‘Wanderlust,’ on June 10, 2016. They sought after 11-time GRAMMY winner, Pharrell Williams to produce and collaborate with on this project and the result is unlike anything we’ve heard from Little Big Town before. In the eight songs on this album you’ll hear bits of dance, funk, pop and R&B, but every song is still consistent with the flawless harmonies LBT fans know and love.
The project started out as a single writing session with Williams, from there it turned into more writing sessions and multiple trips from Nashville to Los Angeles. Ultimately, they decided that the record was “too special not to share,” as they told Billboard, and they went with their gut to spontaneously release it to fans. The foursome admits that this project is not a country record whatsoever, but it doesn’t mean that they’re abandoning the genre all together. For Little Big Town, it was a project they had a lot of fun with from start to finish and they hope that listeners can find as much joy in it as they do.
1.) ‘One Dance’ – Written by Karen Fairchild, Kimberly Schlapman, Jimi Westbrook, Phillip Sweet, and Pharrell Williams.
Impression: Press play and you’ll immediately be taken back in time. The opening track, ‘One Dance,’ gives us all kinds of retro vibes. A steady clap sets the beat that you can’t help but tap or nod along with. It’s one of those songs that just makes you want to move, and one may even be tempted to describe this song as “groovy.” ‘One Dance’ sets the tone for this record and after listening to it, fans can be sure that they’re in for a fun and wild ride.
Favorite Lyrics: I see your game from a mile away, you think you’re going to win me over, I hear you got a reputation, but that won’t get you any closer…
2.) ‘C’mon’ – Written by Pharrell Williams and Justin Timberlake.
Impression: Seriously though, come on. A song written by Williams and Timberlake brings with it high expectations and luckily we were not let down. Westbrook and Fairchild take the lead on this one and truly bring the song to life, going back and forth with seductive instigations that urge less talk and more action. The band taps into their more soulful side for this song that’s slow and very smooth. You know you’ve got a good one when even Timberlake can’t resist lending his voice to the harmonies.
Favorite Lyrics: C’mon, you hear me talking ’round the house, C’mon, you know you love to hear my mouth…
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3.) ‘One of Those Days’ – Written by Karen Fairchild, Kimberly Schlapman, Jimi Westbrook, Phillip Sweet, and Pharrell Williams.
Impression: The group debuted this song on the season finale of NBC’s The Voice on May 24th. Their performance, full of vibrant colors and an energy to match, perfectly embodied the feeling of this song and was indicative of tone on the rest of the album. ‘One of Those Days’ is about seeing the light of a new beginning – it’s fun, uplifting, and a little funky. The positive lyrics are backed by a bit of an island melody making it perfect to turn up this summer.
Favorite Lyrics: I’m doing everything right, stepping into the light, that’s what I’ve been waiting for…
4.) ‘Work’ – Written by Karen Fairchild, Kimberly Schlapman, Jimi Westbrook, Phillip Sweet, and Pharrell Williams.
Impression: For all those people who just keep on keepin’ on, this one’s about not giving up. “Ain’t gonna happen on it’s own, you gotta work,” is the straightforward message the band sings in the chorus. There’s so many anthems out there preaching less work and more play, (like LBT’s hit ‘Day Drinking,’ for example), but this song is just the opposite. Don’t get the wrong impression though, we’re not saying a song about work can’t be fun as well. Not only is ‘Work’ motivational, it’s going to make you want to get out of your seat and move too.
Favorite Lyrics: I know the road is steep, I know the journey’s long, I know it’s up to me, so I got to carry on…
5.) ‘Skinny Dippin’ – Written by Karen Fairchild, Kimberly Schlapman, Jimi Westbrook, Phillip Sweet, and Pharrell Williams.
Impression: It’s clear from the title that ‘Skinny Dippin’ is about just that – going skinny dipping, abandoning your inhibitions and letting loose! If the activity is a favorite pastime of yours, this song might give you a rush of nostalgia as LBT sings about running down to the sea to do something that might be wrong. It’s on the slower side, but with it’s tropical and reggae vibes, this is one more song from the group that is ideal for summer.
Favorite Lyrics: Toes in the sand and we’re feeling the breeze, ain’t nothing better than feeling this free…
6.) ‘Willpower’ – Written by Karen Fairchild, Kimberly Schlapman, Jimi Westbrook, Phillip Sweet, and Pharrell Williams.
Impression: ‘Willpower’ is another track from this record that falls under the fun and carefree categories. You’ll more than likely find yourself tapping along without hesitation as soon as you press play. With the goal of making music that is meant to be danced to, sung along with and turned up loud, LBT hit the nail on the head with this one. ‘Willpower’ is fun, a little sexy, and have we mentioned those Little Big Town harmonies?
Favorite Lyrics: Hey there, boy, won’t you lean on in, find your way to me here in the dark. Can’t you feel my lips whispering? Right there is a good place to start…
7.) ‘Miracle’ – Written by Karen Fairchild, Kimberly Schlapman, Jimi Westbrook, Phillip Sweet, Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo.
Impression: My own first listen of this song was in a stadium filled with thousands of other fans at CMA Fest as the group paid tribute to the victims of the tragedy in Orlando, Florida. In hopes to provide healing, spread love, and celebrate life, LBT delivered an unbelievably compelling performance – this is one of those songs that works incredibly well live. But upon giving the track a second listen, ‘Miracle’ is still chill-inducing with its overflow of positive energy. The disco-meets-church-choir thing surprisingly works better than one would assume and the combination, along with powerful lyrics, leaves us with a song that is moving and uplifting.
Favorite Lyrics: Waiting on Heaven to send down some healing for this heart, down by the river waiting for this water to part…
8.) ‘The Boat’ – Written by Karen Fairchild, Kimberly Schlapman, Jimi Westbrook, Phillip Sweet, and Pharrell Williams.
Impression: The album closes with ‘The Boat,’ another one that’s on the slower side but really emphasizes the band’s incredible harmonies and layering. The first thing that stands out on this track is that Phillip Sweet and Jimi Westbrook have more prominent parts, whereas Fairchild typically takes the lead on many of LBT’s songs. The lyrics are pretty repetitive, but it’s easy to overlook because the group’s harmonizing is top notch.
Favorite Lyrics: Hand in hand, side by side, even when the rain is pouring down there’s room inside…
Merriam-Webster defines Wanderlust as a strong longing for or impulse toward wandering; a strong desire to travel. This perfectly titled album takes us on an adventure with Little Big Town as they explore and wander into new territories that are far from their home in Music City. As a fan, it’s great to see artists experiment with new sounds and expand their horizon. Both Pharrell and the members of LBT stepped outside of their comfort zone on this, but managed to hold on to many qualities of their artistry that fans can recognize in the songwriting, melodies, and harmonies. This album proves that artists who are truly gifted can shine in any genre, and it’s wonderful to watch people collaborate and make music simply for the joy of it. Some country fans have been critical of this record, but whether ‘Wanderlust’ is your cup of tea or not, one has to applaud the group for taking a risk and creating a piece that is truly unique. Above all, it’s a feel-good record that any music fan should be able to appreciate. (But of course, we can’t wait to hear more country from Little Big Town which is already in the works!)